The effect of the dental setting on blood pressure measurement.

Hypertension screening is a common activity in dental offices. However, this setting may elevate blood pressure, resulting in excessive patient concern and referrals. To experimentally test this question, blood pressure was measured in 60 subjects in a dental setting and a medical setting.

Promoting health and preventing disease some thoughts for HMOs.

Many of the predisposing factors to current morbidity and mortality relate to societally approved behaviors. Attempts to intervene or change behavioral patterns after a chronic condition is clinically established are limited in effectiveness. Because health maintenance as a conceptual activity occurs outside the medical care delivery system, organizations committed to health maintenance must be active in the school, workplace, and the community if they are to be effective.